Background
The Relaxation Company (TRC) was formed in 2004 bringing together over 20 professional therapists, coaches and trainers to address Health and Wellbeing challenges.
The biggest and most costly issue that TRC identified was the growing levels of stress in the workplace which as well as debilitating employees, was costing employers £millions through absenteeism and loss of output. A further issue was the increased demands on and costs to the NHS. Over the years, TRC developed and delivered workshops, training sessions, treatment sessions, coaching and seminars to promote and encourage Health and Wellbeing in the workplace, at home and to individuals. The focus of this work was reducing stress and allowing people to regain control of their lives. Notable areas of success have been in the Education and Caring sectors.
It was during our work in the Education sector that the vision for the Champion for Wellbeing Programme (CWP) evolved. We have successfully completed two pilot projects, one in 2008/09 in Perth & Kinross and the second in 2010 at Loch Leven Community Campus. The project in Kinross included independent research by Edinburgh University, which confirmed the positive outcomes of the CWP. Using a General Health Questionnaire as the control (where a score of 5 is recommended for medical intervention), this independent research confirmed stress levels in staff members being reduced from 6.7 prior to intervention to 2.3 after intervention. Other successful programmes have run with the Royal Caledonian Schools Trust, Perth & Kinross Childcare Partnership as well as open programmes for the public. In all our programmes, participants reported an increased sense of wellbeing that had a positive impact on their personal and professional performance.
In 2008 TRC became a Social Enterprise Company and in 2009 became a registered charity, with the ambition to empower individuals to “be the best they can be” by improving Health and Wellbeing and promoting respect in our society. It was during this transformation that we concluded that the best way to change society was to empower young people to make these changes. By making young people the ‘Change-Makers’ we would improve society in a progressive and sustainable manner. Helping young people to take responsibility for themselves and be the ‘Change-Makers’ of the future, empowers them to bring about the improvements that are needed in society. In order to empower young people we would have to impact on what impacts on them; their parents, peers, school and community. We see the way forward as being an all encompassing project comprising of a Change-Makers Programme for young people incorporating the elements from the CWP.
The Issue
Our Country, Communities and People are experiencing the biggest changes since the Industrial Revolution. We are living in a time of the ‘e-revolution’ that is impacting and changing our lives and society at an ever increasing rate. No longer can our school leavers expect a job for life, instead it is uncertainty. No longer are there industries like mining, steel working, manufacturing or agriculture, creating the heart of communities and generating the income to spend in these communities. Instead we have generations experiencing unemployment, a benefits culture and ever decreasing self respect. The result is a disposable society where self respect and empathy come a poor second to stress, anxiety and depression.
The life skills for a successful and integrated society are being undermined and lost due to uncertainty in the future. This can be illustrated by; increased family breakdown, research demonstrates that births outside marriage are at their highest point for 200 years and nearly half of all children will see their parents separated by 16; increased mental health issues, mental health problems cost the UK about £110bn a year according to a recent report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the London School of Economics and the NHS Confederation’s mental health network; increased crime and violence, Britain has been reported as having the highest number of violent crimes in Europe; increased poverty, the spending power of the poorest has fallen 10 per cent over the last decade and will continue to fall as the basic cost of living continues to rise, according to research commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. All of these factors and more are resulting in a downward spiral of our communities and society
The Solution
Who can change this downward spiral? Who can make a difference? Who can make our country a better place? Our young people can! Starting with themselves, they can change families, they can change our communities and they can make society better by fostering self respect, empathy and compassion. Our young people are the change Makers. We at TRC want to Champion the Change Makers, we want to share with them the tools to bring back self respect, to empower their resilience, to ignite their confidence and self belief. This in turn will fuel enterprise and entrepreneurship allowing our children to contribute to a growing and sustainable economy. Our country’s ‘Change Makers’ can lead the way for a healthier, more productive and responsible society. Not relying on government handouts, not waiting for, or expecting someone else to fix it. Our young people are capable and can improve our nation. The Change-Maker Programme will provide our children with the life skills and tools to make that difference. The experiences and outcomes for the CMP are shown at Annexes A and B to this application.
Supporting Research:
The following are extracts from research looking at stress in society and its impact on children and the economy. The CMP will empower young people with the life skills and tools and strategies to recognise and deal with stress. The CMP will also address one of the major causes of stress in young people, that being the loss of self respect and lowered self esteem.
- Social Issues
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has recently reported on the social and economic costs of mental health problems in Scotland. The report looked at the costs of providing health and social care services and losses to the economy, but also the personal costs of mental health problems. Findings published in April 2011 reveal that the social and economic cost of mental health problems in Scotland has reached £10.7 billion per year, an increase of nearly a quarter on figures from 2005.
- Environmental Issues:
As individuals become healthier, they have a healthier attitude about every aspect of their lives including the world around them.
- Economic Issues:
Reduction in absentee-ism costs. In the area of education alone, supply teaching costs the authorities £200 per day per teacher.
- Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer reports on 17th Dec 2009:
‘Hormonal changes triggered by stress can be found in children as young as six years old, according to his annual report. Studies indicate these changes can lead to potentially fatal health problems later in life.
More info at
http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/news/2011_cost_scottish_economy.aspx
- Scotland on Sunday on 11th January 2011:
The National Union of Teachers asserts that half of all teachers have considered leaving the profession due to stress. A Health and Safety Executive survey published last year found that teaching was the most stressful occupation in the UK.
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said: “This year, teachers are implementing a brand new curriculum with a lamentable lack of support from the government. Given that previous studies cite a lack of support as a core reason for teacher stress, this year’s figures can only get worse.”
- Reaching Parents
The following is an extract from a Massage in Schools Programme (peer to peer massage) Depute Head of a school in Inverclyde’s experience. Our Little Kicks programme includes peer to peer massage. There is much evidence for its success including research.
“The next logical step seemed to be for the children to invite someone from their family into the classroom for a massage. This proved to be a hugely positive experience and one which we repeated for every class in the school. There was a 100% take-up on the invitations – a far greater turnout than any Parents Evening. We presented it as a way for the children to give something back to their parents and, in an area like ours, it was a way for our older children and their parents to connect in a positive , loving way. It is wonderful to see parents giving their children a kiss or a hug as a thank you at the end of the massage. It was also a massive PR boost for the school as everyone left very kindly disposed to our efforts and motivated to support us in other ways.”
Pat Nicol Depute Headteacher All Saints Primary School Inverclyde
Social Enterprise in Education
One of the first schools to receive the Social Enterprise in Schools Award was Stonelaw High School from South Lanarkshire. Their enterprise, Stonelaw High Fair Traders, sells fair trade goods to pupils, parents, staff, and the wider community. After reinvesting in stock, marketing, and business development, all profits are sent to South Africa to support the education of Aids orphans. From humble beginnings in a filing cabinet drawer, the enterprise has expanded and turned over tens of thousands of pounds.
The Academy were therefore delighted and proud to hear the Stonelaw Traders enhanced their reputation even more by winning the 2011 UK Young Social Enterprise of the Year Award at the prestigious UK Social Enterprise Awards in the O2 in London on 30th March.
Current Position:
We have two schools, one in Perth and one in Fife, that are enthusiastic about taking this Programme through both their primary and secondary classes and we are actively engaged in seeking to secure funding to provide this as a 3 year project, supporting the children through a critical time in their development.